Doctoral Fellow in Developmental, Personality and Social Psychology – MindBreath Project Ghent University in Belgium

Ghent University invites applications for a full-time doctoral fellowship in the Department of Developmental, Personality and Social Psychology, as part of the FWO-funded 'MindBreath' project. This interdisciplinary research aims to foster stress resilience in adolescence through a synergistic intervention combining growth mindsets and resonant breathing. The project addresses the rising prevalence of stress-related symptoms such as anxiety and depression among adolescents, leveraging their cognitive flexibility and biological plasticity to promote adaptive changes and new skills for stress management.

The MindBreath project will conduct a randomized controlled trial with approximately 450 adolescent participants recruited from secondary schools across West and East Flanders. The intervention compares mindsets-only, breathing-only, combined mindsets and breathing, and active control conditions. Psychological and physiological mechanisms will be examined, including cognitive beliefs, heart rate variability, baroreflex sensitivity, daily stress dynamics, and inflammatory activity. The research employs a multimethod approach, utilizing questionnaires, physiological measures at rest and during laboratory assessments, and experience sampling techniques.

This collaborative project involves the Department of Developmental, Personality and Social Psychology (Phaselab, supervised by Prof. Dr. Matteo Giletta and Dr. Nathalie Michels) and the Department of Head and Skin (Gheplab, supervised by Prof. Dr. Marie-Anne Vanderhasselt). The successful PhD candidate will be responsible for all phases of the project: obtaining ethical approval, participant recruitment, preparing and collecting data, coordinating with app developers, and conducting advanced data analysis using R and/or Mplus. The candidate will disseminate findings through peer-reviewed publications, conference presentations, and science communication materials such as infographics and videoclips. Educational activities include supervising master thesis students and collaborating with other researchers.

Applicants must hold a Master’s degree in Psychology or a related discipline (preferably a research master and minimum cum laude), with degree requirements fulfilled by the start date. Candidates should demonstrate initiative, curiosity, passion for research, and strong interest in adolescent mental health and psychophysiological processes. Excellent scientific writing and communication skills, high proficiency in English and Dutch, organizational skills, independence, teamwork, and openness to feedback are essential. Experience with school-based data collection, intensive longitudinal data, and multilevel data analysis in R and/or Mplus is desirable, though eagerness to learn is required.

The fellowship offers an initial 12-month contract, extendable up to 48 months after positive evaluation, starting no later than October 1st. The position is based at the Dunant campus and provides opportunities for international conference attendance and research stays abroad. The fellowship amount is 100% of the net salary of an AAP member, determined by family status and seniority, and is free of personal income tax. Ghent University staff enjoy extensive benefits, including paid leave, training opportunities, bicycle commuting allowance, and ecocheques.

To apply, submit your application in English as a single PDF file (CV, diploma with study results, motivation letter, and contact information for at least two academic referees) via email to prof. Matteo Giletta ([email protected]) with the subject 'PhD position FWO MindBreath' by July 5th, 2026. Interviews will be held July 13th–16th. For further information, contact prof. Matteo Giletta.